Hong Kong

HelperChoice analysed more than 3,000 job adverts posted between January and August, found that employers living in Siu Sai Wan pay HK$4,315 to foreign domestic workers, just HK$5 above the minimum salary.

Hong Kong’s domestic workers march through city to call for 27.6 per cent wage rise, as concerns mount over recent deaths

Date: 3 September 2017
Source: South China Morning Post

Hundreds of foreign domestic workers marched through Hong Kong on Sunday afternoon to demand a 27.6 per cent pay rise from HK$4,310 to HK$5,500 per month, and an end to what they called slave-like conditions.

Asia

A report published by International Justice Mission found that more than a third of migrant fishermen in Thailand were clearly victims of trafficking over the past five years, and even more workers in the industry were possibly trafficked as well.

In Taiwan on Monday, 19 fishing and boat company owners were charged with making 81 foreign fishermen work for 48 consecutive hours without rest for a monthly wage of US$300 to US$500 and illegally locking them in tiny windowless rooms when they were out at sea.

Trafficked North Korean ‘bride’ reveals her desperate flight from China

Date: 9 September 2017
Source: South China Morning Post

Sold into marriage in China, the 24-year-old North Korean woman was desperate to flee the bleak life with her “husband” and the constant monitoring of the older woman. “We know of one area where there are over 600 North Korean trafficked women who were sold,” said Steve Kim, founder of the US-based NGO 318 Partners.

Global

More than three dozen arrested in alleged sex-trafficking ring in Compton

Date: 23 September 2017
Source: Los Angeles Times

A prostitution ring shut down in Compton included several child and adult victims of human trafficking, authorities said. A raid by law enforcement officers on Wednesday resulted in 36 arrests, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Latest figures reveal more than 40 million people are living in slavery

Date: 19 September 2017
Source: The Guardian

UN’s International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Walk Free Foundation estimated 24.9 million people across the world were trapped in forced labour and 15.4 million in forced marriage in 2016. Children account for a quarter of the overall 40.3m total.

Human trafficking is pervasive in global industries particularly in manufacturing sectors, but efforts by corporations to be socially responsible are starting to have an impact, The EcoVadis Global CSR Risk and Performance Index found on Tuesday.

Resources

An estimated 40.3 million people were victims of modern slavery in 2016. Of these 40.3 million victims, 24.9 million people were in forced labour, 15.4 million people were living in a forced marriage. Women and girls are account for 71 per cent of the
overall total.